Wagon jack or elevator.



A. T. ADAMS.

WAGON JACK 0R ELEVATOR. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15. 1909.

' 956,507. Patented May 3, 1910.

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?atented May 3, 1910.

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ERS. WASHING A. T. ADAMS. WAGON JACK OR ELEVATOR. APPLICATION FILED JUNE15, 1909 Patented May 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-$3331 3.

ilNlTED STATES PATNT FFICE.

ALONZO T. ADAMS, OF MARSEILLES, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO MARSEILLESMANUFAC- TURING COMPANY, OF MARSEILLES, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFILLINOIS.

WAGON JACK OR ELEVATOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALoNzo T. ADAMs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Marseilles, in the county of Lasalle and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vagon Jacks orElevators, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to portable wagon jacks or elevators adapted toraise the front end of a loaded wagon to dump the contents thereof fromthe rear end into a suitable receiving hopper for the purpose ofunloading the wagon and from which it is discharged or conveyed by anysuitable form of con veyer, and especially to that class of such deviceswherein the elevating frame or platform upon which the front wheels ofthe wagon rest has a slight rearward movement as the platform is raisedto permit the rear wheels of the wagon to remain stationary.

The primary object of the invention is to provide such a jack orelevator wherein the upright dumping frame itself has a slight rearwardinclination to avoid drawing the rear wheels of the wagon forwardly asthe front wheels are elevated or raised, and may be inclined to eitherside of the base whereby wagons may be dumped at either side of thejack.

Further objects relating to details of organization will be apparentfrom the disclosure.

The invention consists in the arrangements and organizations of partshereinafter described and then pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings to which reference is had to illustrate apractical embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective sideelevation of a wagon-jack embodying my invention with the parts arrangedto dump wagons at the right hand side of the device, parts being brokenaway for purposes of illustration; Fig. 2 is a similar view with theparts arranged to dump wagons at the left hand side of the device, Fig.3 is a side elevation showing the dumping frame in full lines in oneinclined position and in dotted lines in its other inclined position,and Figs. 4t and 5 are detail views.

The same reference letters refer to c0rresponding parts in the severalviews, and as Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 15, 1909.

Patented May 3, 1910.

Serial No. 502,282.

shown in the drawings the base comprises a rectangular frame composed ofthe end sills A, side beams a and suitable crossbraces a. Upon each ofthe side beams and also upon the cross-braces a plank a is rigidlybolted and adapted to overhang the side pieces so as to receiveconnecting hooks a rigidly bolted to a suitable inclined guide ordriveway a whereby the guide or driveway may be interchangeablyconnected with each side of the base.

The dumping-frame is adjustably connected to the base, and in thepresent embodiment the dumping-frame consists of opposite pairs ofuprights pivotally secured upon the cross-braces a. In the present formthe dumping-frame consists of the four uprights B arranged in pairs ateach end of the base, the uprights being pivotally secured upon thecross braces 0; as at b, and each pair of uprights being connected attheir upper ends by a cross-head b pivotally connected thereto as at 6The flexible connection of the uprights to the base permits the dumpingframe to be inclined more or less toward either side of the base so thatwagons may be dumped from either side of the jack without drawing therear wheels forwardly. The uprights 0f the dumpingframe are held ininclined positions by any suitable means, and in the present embodimentI attain this end by means of braces O rigidly secured to the base andprojecting upwardly to a point approximately above the medianlongitudinal line of the base where they are adapted to adjustablyengage suitable cross-pieces 0 pivotally connecting each pair ofuprights. The crosspieces 0 are provided with holes 0 near their endsadapted to removably receive connecting bolts 0 on the braces, wherebythe braces may be connected to either end of the crosspieces to hold thedumping-frame in either of its inclined positions as shown respectivelyin Figs. 1, 2 and 3. It is obvious from the foregoing explanation thatwhen it is desired to shift the inclination of the clumping-frame theconnecting bolts 0 are disconnected from the cross-pieces c in one oftheir positions as in Fig. 1 for example, and the clumping-frame maythen be tilted or swung to its other inclined position as in Fig. 2,when the connecting bolts of the braces will be secured in the otherpair of holes at the other end of the cross-pieces to lock the frame inits new inclined position. By this means the dumping frame is reversedin its inclination and is rigidly held at the proper angle ofinclination for either side, the braces being readily connected anddisconnected for either hitch and so that the inclination of the dumpingframe will be sufficient to allow the rear wheels of the wagon to remainstationary during the necessary elevation of their front wheels when thewagons are dumped from either side of the jack.

The cross-heads Z) are of any suitable form or material such as steelplates or castings having end extensions to embrace the upper ends ofthe uprights and receive the connecting bolts 6 the cross-heads supportthe pulley-blocks or bearings for the pulleys of the operating chains inany suitable manner.

Any suitable elevating frame or platform adapted to receive and supportthe front wheels of the wagon is raised and lowered upon the inclineddumping-frame by any suitable operating means. In the form shown theelevating wheel-frame or platform comprises parallel side pieces 1) andconnecting end pieces (Z, the side pieces being suitably spaced apart toreceive the front wheels of the wagon whereby the latter will beprevented from moving backward or forward. The base is provided with afloor of suitable planks cl secured to the crossbraces a and adapted tofill the opening between the side pieces D when the wheelframe orplatform is lowered. This frame is raised and lowered by means of chainsE which are connected at one end to the end pieces (Z as by means ofsuitable bails (Z and which pass over pulleys e secured upon thecross-heads Z) and are connected at the other end to a suitable windingshaft. These pulleys are mounted in bearings and are arranged to get thepull of the chains parallel with the inclined uprights of thedumping-frame and for this purpose they may be arranged in any suitablemanner. In the form shown in Fig. 1 the bearings e are in the shape ofyokes resting upon wedge-shaped blocks 6 whereby the yokes are slightlytilted or inclined, or one arm is raised and made slightly longer thanthe other, the angle of inclination of the pulleys being the same as andin extension of the angle of inclination of the uprights B. By this orany other equivalent arrangement the pull. of the chains is parallelwith the in clination of the uprights. The bearings are also reversibleon the crossheads 6, being removably held thereon by removable bolts apassing through the body of the crossheads and depending projections onthe bearings resting in recesses in the crossheads. The bearings arereversible so that the inclination or tilt of the pulleys may be reversed as the inclination of the dumping frame is changed from one sideof the jack to the other, and as respectively illustrated in Figs. 1 and2.

The chains E pass from the wheel-frame or platform over the pulleys anddown to a winding shaft F which is ournaled in suitable bearings uponthe end-sills of the base. The winding shaft is shaped near its ends asat f with spiral spools which conform to the thread of the chains andact to guide the chains thereon. \Vhen the winding shaft is rotated, thechains will be simultaneously wound up or unwound from the spoolsaccording to the direction of rotation of the shaft. Any suitable meansmay be employed for rotating the winding shaft and in the presentembodiment I show, means whereby this shaft may be rotated in eitherdirection from a continuously driven power-shaft G which preferably isprovided with means for connecting either of its ends to a tumbling rodg of a suit-able horse power. The shaft G is journaled in a suitablecasting H supported on one of the crossbraces a. The casting is providedwith bearings it for the shaft G and with vertical bearings 72. whichsupport a short upright shaft I provided at its lower end with a worm 2'adapted to mesh with a worm wheel f on the shaft F. The upper end of theshaft I is directly below and adjacent the power shaft G, and isprovided with fixed differential bevel gears 2' 2' the members of whichrespectively mesh with suitable bevel gears g g loosely mounted upon theshaft G. The bevel gears 9 g are adapted to be alternately engaged by amovable clutch collar which is l ated between these bevel gears and isprovided at its ends with clutch-hubs adapted to interlock withcorresponding clutch-hubs on the gears in a manner now well understoodin the art. The collar is adapted to be shifted longitudinally on theshaft G, to engage with either bevel g or 9 and is slidingly interlockedwith the shaft by a suitable feather or key in any suitable manner, thearrangement being such that when it is in engagement with either bevelgear it will lock the same to the shaft G to communicate motion to theshaft I and thence to the winding shaft F. The parts are so arrangedthat the bevel gears 2' and. g are employed to communicate motion to thewinding shaft for raising the wheel frame or platform, and the bevelgears 71 and are employed for reversely driving the shaft to lower theplatform, and as the gear 2' is smaller than the gear 2' it follows thatthe wheel frame rises at aslower speed than it descends, the preferredratio being that it shall come down at about three times the speed atwhich it rises.

The clutch collar stands intermediate its associated bevel gears whenthe wagon frame is not operated, and may be shifted to engage witheither gear by any suitable means. For convenience of illustration Ishow a shifting lever K which is pivoted at one end on the base and isprovided with a slot to engage a pin is on a shifting rod is which ismovably supported in offset bearings on the casting, this rod having afixed yoke 70 which works in a groove in the sliding collar so that asthe rod is moved in one direction or the other it will cause the clutchsections of the collar to engage the clutch sections of one of the bevelgears g or The shifting lever may be moved by a suitable means; such forexample as the handle 71: extending toward either side of the yoke.

The wheel-frame may be provided with guides cooperating with the dumpingframe. In the form shown, these guides are in the shape of castingssecured to the sides D and having upper and lower projecting arms (Zprovided with rollers (Z running on the uprights. In the preferred formthe guides are set at an angle to the longitudinal plane of thewheel-frame corresponding to the inclination of the uprights. When suchguides are employed the jack cannot be reversed to dump wagons from bothsides until the wagon-frame is removed from the dumping frame, it beinglifted up and turned end for end, and to enable this to be readilyaccomplished the chains E are so constructed that the connection betweenthe winding shaft and the wagon-frame may be broken, and this may beaccomplished in any suitable manner, as for example by making one of thelinks of each chain in the form of a hook as shown at 6*.

The lifting wheel-frame always remains level or horizontal, and uponreversing this frame by turning it end for end as described it does nottilt because one side of the bails (Z is shorter than the other, as theleft hand side of the bail in Fig. 1 and the right hand side in Fig. 2,so that when the wheel-frame is reversed it reverses this line of draftas well as the angle of the guiderollers.

lVhile I have shown the chain sheaves or pulleys inclined or tilted ontheir supports such construction and function are not necessary as theoperations of the machine are carried out just as satisfactorily andpractically when the sheaves are perpendicular; when they areperpendicular they need not be reversed upon the reversal of the wheelframe. hen it is desired to tilt them any construction may be employedfor this purpose, and in Fig. 3 I show an organization wherein thesepulleys or sheaves are automatically tilted from one side to the otherto correspond with the direction of inclination of the dumping-frame. Inthis form the cross-heads are composed of opposite pairs of parallelpieces Z2 loosely plvoted to the uprights at b in the form of parallelrulers, and the lower projections on the bearings e are loosely pivotedto each pa r at 6 so that as the dumping frame is shifted from side toside the inclination of the pulleys will be automatically changed tocorrespond. Of course with this last form, the bearings thus areautomatically reversed when the wheel-frame is reversed.

IV hen it is desired to dump wagons on the right side of the jack orelevator the dumping frame is set at the inclination shown in Fig. 1 forexample. A loaded wagon is driven to place with its front wheels passingup the inclined guide and resting upon the wheel frame, and the clutchcollar is shifted to lock the bevel gear g to the shaft G, wherebymotion is imparted .through the intermediate gearing to the windingshaft F in a direction to wind the chains thereon to raise thewheel-frame along the dumpingframe. As the wheel frame travels upwardly,it also moves slightly rearwardly owing to the inclination of thedumping-frame so as to permit the rear wheels of the wagon to remainstationary. lVhen the wheel-frame is raised to suflicient height tocause all the load to flow out of the open rear end of the wagon, theclutch collar is shifted to lock the bevel gear 9 to shaft G wherebymotion in reverse direction and at accelerated speed is imparted toshaft F to unwind the chains to lower the Wheel-frame, and when theframe reaches its lower position the clutch collar may be shifted toneutral position intermediate and out of engagement with the clutch-hubsof both bevel gears, when the wagon may be driven off and another drivento position on the wheel-frame to be in turn dumped by repeating theoperation.

When it is desired to dump wagons on theleft side of the jack as in Fig.2, assuming that the device is set for dumping on the right side as inFig. 1 the chains are disconnected by the hooks or other connectionsemployed, the wheel-frame is lifted off the uprights which are uncoupledfrom the braces and shifted over to their other inclined position wherethey are again se cured by the braces engaging the other end of thecross-pieces c, the wheel frame is reversed end for end and placed inposition again on the uprights with its chains connected by the hooks,and the parts are then in position to dump wagons at the left side as inFig. 2. Of course it is to be understood that when inclined guides onthe wheel-frame are not used, this frame need not be reversed and soneed not be lifted off the dumping-frame, and the chain-pulleys need notbe reversed when they are perpendicular to their frames.

I do not limit myself to the details of form, construction orarrangement shown in the drawings, as obviously changes and variationsin these respects may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof. my invention.

Having described my invent-ion, I claim 1. In a wagon-jack, a base, areversible inclined dumping-frame pivoted on the base, means to hold theframe in inclined position toward either side of the base, a wheelframeslidingly mounted on the dumping frame, and means on the dumpingfrainefor raising and lowering the wheel-frame and movable with the frametoward either side of the base.

2. In a wagon-jack, a base, a reversible inclined clumping-frame pivotedon the base, means to hold the frame in inclined position toward eitherside of the base, a wheel-frame slidingly mounted on the dumping-frame,pulleys on the dumping frame and movable therewith toward either side ofthe base, flexible connections from the wheel-frame passing over thepulleys, and means to oper ate the flexible connections to raise andlower the wheel-frame on the dumping-frame.

3. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights movably mounted on the base andproviding a dumping-frame, a wheel-frame in sliding engagement with thedumping frame and adapted to support the end of a wagon, means on theuprights for raising and lowering the wheel-frame on the uprights andmovable therewith toward either side of the base, and means forinclining the uprights toward either side of the base.

4. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights movably mounted on the base andproviding a dumping-frame, a wheel-frame in sliding engagement with thedumping-frame and adapted to support the end of a wagon, means on theuprights for raising and lowering the wheel-frame on the uprights andmovable therewith toward either side of the base, and braces to hold theuprights in inclined position toward either side of the base.

5. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights movably mounted on the base andproviding a dumpingframe, a wheel-frame in sliding engagement with thedumping-frame and adapted to support the end of a wagon, pulleys on theuprights and movable therewith toward either side of the base, flexibleconnections running over the pulleys for raising and lowering thewheel-frame on the uprights, and braces to hold the uprights inclinedtoward either side of the base.

6. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted in pairs on thebase, a crosshead pivoted to the uprights of each pair, means to holdthe uprights in inclined position on either side of the center of thebase, pulleys on the cross-heads of the uprights, a wagon-frame slidableon the uprights and adapted to support the front wheels of a wagon,chains on the wagonframe running over the pulleys, and means to wind andunwind the chains to raise and lower the wagon-frame on the uprights.

7. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted in pairs on thebase, a crosshead pivoted to the uprights of each pair, braces to holdthe uprights in inclined position on either side of the center of thebase, pulleys on the cross -heads of the uprights, a wagon-frame movableon the uprights and adapted to support the front wheels of a wagon,inclined guides 011 the wagon-frame, chains on the wagon-frame runningover the pulleys, and means to wind and unwind the chains to raise andlower the wagon-frame on the uprights.

8. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted in pairs on thebase, a crosshead pivoted to the uprights of each pair, means to holdthe uprights in inclined position on either side of the center of thebase, pulleys on the cross-heads of the uprights, a w a gon-framemovable on the uprights adapted to support the front wheels of a wagon,inclined guides on the wagon frame having rollers bearing on theuprights. chains on the wagon-frame running over the pulleys, and meansto wind and unwind the chains to raise and lower the wagon-frame on theuprights.

9. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted in pairs on thebase, a crosshead pivoted to the uprights of each pair, means to holdthe uprights in inclined position toward either side of the base,pulleys on the cross-heads of the uprights, a wheelframe movable on theuprights and adapted to support the front wheels of a wagon, inclinedguides on the wheel-frame adapted to the uprights in either inclinedposition, and means including flexible connections passing over thepulleys to raise and lower the wheel-frame on the uprights.

10. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted in pairs on thebase, a crosshead pivoted to the uprights of each pair, means to holdthe uprights in inclined position toward either side of the base,pulleys on the cross-heads of the uprights, a wheelframe movable on theuprights and adapted to support the front wheels of a wagon, guides onthe wheel-frame inclined to corre spond with the inclination of theuprights, and means including flexible connections passing over thepulleys to raise and lower the wheel-frame on the uprights.

11. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted on the base,means to hold the uprights in inclined position toward either side ofthe base, pulleys on the uprights, a reversible wheel-frame movable onthe uprights and adapted to support the front wheels of a wagon, andmeans including flexible connections passing over the pulleys to raiseand lower the wheel-frame on the uprights at different speeds.

12. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights movably mounted on the base andproviding a clumping-frame, a wheel-frame reversibly mounted on thedumping-frame and adapted to support the end of a wagon, means on theuprights for raising and lowering the wheel-frame, means for holding theuprights in inclined position toward either side of the base, andinclined guides on the wheel-frame adapted to engage the uprights ineither position of the wheel-frame.

13. In a wagon jack, a' base, uprights movably mounted on the base andproviding a dumping-frame, a wheel-frame reversibly mounted on theclumping-frame and adapted to support the end of a wagon, inclinedpulleys on the uprights, means on the pulleys for raising and loweringthe wheel frame, means for holding the uprights in inclined positiontoward either side of the base, and inclined guides on the wheel-frameadapted to engage the uprights in either position of the wheel-frame.

14. In a wagon jack, :1- base, uprights movably mounted on the base andproviding a dumping-frame, a wheel-frame reversibly mounted on thedumping-frame and adapted to support the end of a wagon, reversibleinclined pulleys on the uprights, means on the pulleys for raising andlowering the wheel-frame, means for holding the uprights in inclinedposition toward either side of the base, and inclined guides on thewheel-frame adapted to engage the uprights in either position of thewheel-frame.

15. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted on the base,means to hold the uprights in inclined position on either side of thecenter of the base, reversible pulleys on the uprights, a reversiblewagon-frame in sliding engagement with the dumping-frame and adapted tosupport the front wheels of a wagon, detachable chains on the framerunning over the pulleys, and means to wind and unwind the chains toraise and lower the wagon-frame on the uprights.

16. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted on the base,braces to hold the uprights in inclined position on either side of thecenter of the base, reversible pulleys on the uprights, a reversiblewagonframe in sliding engagement with the dumping frame and adapted tosupport the front wheels of a wagon, detachable chains on the framerunning over the pulleys, and means to wind and unwind the chains toraise and lower the wagon-frame on the uprights at different speeds.

17. In a wagon jack, a base, uprights pivotally mounted on the base,braces to hold the uprights in inclined position on either side of thecenter of the base, reversible inclined pulleys on the uprights, areversible wagon-frame adapted to support the front wheels of a wagon,detachable chains on the frame running over the pulleys, and means towind and unwind the chains to raise and lower the wagon-frame on theuprights at different speeds.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALONZO T. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. HARBAUGH, J. MoRoBER'rs.

